Not far off-shore from the Amalfi Coast, Ischia and Capri have long been the summer playground of the rich and famous. However, away from the yachts, glamorous piazzas and exclusive boutiques, the stunning natural landscape of these islands also offer breath-taking walking opportunities with their great variety of quiet coastal trails, secluded sea coves and pastel-coloured villages. Starting from the blissful Sorrento peninsula, we sail through the blue waters of the gulf, walking on the world-famous Capri and Ischia, plus the island of Procida - one of Italy’s best kept-secrets - and ending in the vibrant Naples. Perfect for first timers as well as the Amalfi Coast aficionados, this trip is definitely one for the bucket list!

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Itinerary

Day 1

Those on group flights fly to Naples, to be met by the tour leader on arrival. A transfer of approximately 1 hour 15 minutes takes us to the lovely fishing village of Massa Lubrense, our base for the next two nights located right at the tip of the Sorrento Peninsula. Enjoy a warm welcome from local hosts and enjoy a delicious dinner in the hotel's restaurant overlooking the Gulf of Naples.

Meals included:
Dinner

Day 2

We start the day with a walk to the beautiful coastal town of Sorrento, hometown of Limoncello, the famous lemon based liqueur. Perched on top of a cliff, the town is known for its sweeping views over the Bay of Naples and its charming and elegant historic centre. There will be some free time to stroll around at our own pace or take a drink in the lively Piazza Tasso, before enjoying a refreshing limoncello tasting (included). In the afternoon we continue our walk back to Massa Lubrense; dinner and overnight in Massa Lubrense.

Meals included:
Breakfast
Dinner

Day 3

In the morning we set off for our sailing adventure in the Gulf of Naples and head to our first stop: the idyllic island of Capri. Capri's intriguing combination of fabled beauty and hedonism has charmed its visitors for centuries, from Roman Emperors to contemporary Hollywood stars. During our stay we explore beyond the elegant cafes and designer boutiques and get to see the more unspoilt and authentic part of the island. The rest of the day is free with many optional activities: we recommend taking the chairlift up to the top of Monte Solaro to enjoy breathtaking views of the entire Gulf of Naples. In the afternoon explore the island's flower-filled gardens and Roman villas, or take a leisurely boat tour around the island with time for a swim in hidden coves and lesser-known sea grottoes. Don't miss a visit to Capri town, arguably the most chic and glamorous Mediterranean place in Europe! Take a stroll in the pretty town's lanes, and enjoy an Italian aperitivo in the famous "Piazzetta", where everyone comes to see and be seen!

Meals included:
Breakfast

Day 4

Today's walk starts from Punta Carena and continues along stunning, rugged coastline following the fortress system built by French and British in the 19th century. We finish at the Blue Grotto, Capri's most famous attraction. An optional boat trip is available for those who want to explore the dark cavern where the sea glows electric blue, the result of sunlight passing through an underwater cave (weather dependent and payable locally); transfer by public bus and overnight in the peaceful residential village of Anacapri.

Meals included:
Breakfast

Day 5

Starting from Capri's iconic 'piazzetta', we walk past colorful villas and flowery gardens and reach Grotta di Matromania, a hidden cave tucked into the island's limestone crags and site of ancient pagan worship ceremonies. Later we continue on to Terrazza di Tragara, a spectacular panoramic trail offering postcard views of Capri's iconic Faraglioni and the summit of Monte Solaro, the highest point on the island. In the afternoon we take a hydrofoil to the volcanic island of Ischia, the biggest in the Gulf of Naples and home to some of the prettiest beaches and best hikes of the whole Campania region.

Meals included:
Breakfast

Day 6

Today's walk follows a panoramic coastal trail which, on a clear day, offers stunning views of Naples. After passing through the lovely countryside village of Piano Liguori, surrounded by green vineyards, we reach the picturesque fishing village of Sant'Angelo, where we have time for a swim and a visit to the famous Maronti beach. Here jets of steam created by underground volcanic activity rise up through the sand. The sand is so hot in places that locals use specially-made containers to cook food such as chicken or clams underground! Private Transfer to Ischia town.

Meals included:
Breakfast

Day 7

In the morning we have some free time to enjoy an optional visit the iconic Aragonese Castle, dating back nearly 2,500 years. We then take a boat to the volcanic Procida, the Bay of Naples’ smallest island and its best-kept secret. Mercifully off the mass-tourist radar, the island's perfect blend of sun-bleached streets, lemon groves and pastel-coloured houses makes it a real joy to the eye and soul. Procida's special charm has also led to it featuring in a number of films including the classic Il Postino and The Talented Mr Ripley. Our short walk starts from the most picturesque and charming spot on the island: the hamlet of Corricella. After passing through the narrow streets of the village we walk up to the fortified medieval district Terra Murata or ‘walled land’, dominated by its castle from where we enjoy marvellous views. In the afternoon we take a hydrofoil to the colourful city of Naples, where we take a quick orientation tour before enjoying a farewell pizza night in the historic centre; overnight in Naples.

Meals included:
Breakfast
Dinner

Day 8

Our tour ends in Naples in the morning of day 8. Depending on the group flight departure time, there might be some free time to explore the famous historic neighbourhood of Spacca Napoli, Toledo street, Umberto I Gallery and the Plebiscito Square.

Meals included:
Breakfast

Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

Essential Info

Visas

Italy

No visa required for British passport holders.
Please note in Italy it is compulsory to carry ID with you at all times.

Vaccinations

Italy

There are no specific health risks.

Eating and Drinking

All breakfasts, 3 dinners and 1 limoncello tasting are included.

Breakfast at the hotels is continental style with a choice of cereal, bread, pastries, yoghurt, orange juice and milk with an array of teas/coffee. Lunches will be picnic style or taken in local cafes. The first two evening meals included in the itinerary are normally taken at the hotel and in a local restaurant. The last group dinner in Naples will be taken in a typical pizzeria in the historic centre. The abundance of fresh local produce as well as highly skilled local chefs make the Campania region one of the most envied culinary landscapes in the world. Most regional meals are prepared using of seasonal fresh ingredients such as olives, oranges, lemons, eggplants, tomatoes, almonds, grapes, and more; not to mention all of the seafood fished right off the coast. On this trip the leader will always be on hand to recommend the best restaurants and specialities in the islands. In Capri try the simple but delicious insalata caprese (mozzarella, tomato and basil salad) and the ravioli capresi, Capri’s staple dish made with simple pasta dough filled with parmigiano and aged caciotta cheese, tossed with a fresh tomato and basil sauce. Other of the island's traditional first courses are scialatielli, a fresh ribbon pasta often served with seafood or sautéed vegetables, and spaghetti alla Nerano, tossed with zucchini and cheese. Seafood lovers visiting the islands will also find excellent local shrimp caught on the sea floor between Capri and Massa Lubrense, which are served sautéed or eaten raw with just a bit of olive oil. There is no better way to end your meal than with a generous slice of torta caprese, a local chocolate and almond cake, which is traditionally served with a small, icy glass of limoncello. In Ischia, enjoy spaghetti alla puttanesca (spaghetti with olives, chilli, garlic and tomato sauce), coniglio all’ischiatana (rabbit cooked with garlic, chilli, tomato, herbs and white wine) all accompanied by top quality local wines such as Ischia Bianco, Ischia Rosso, Biancolella and Forastera.

Weather

Is this trip for you?

Activity Level: 2 (Leisurely/Moderate) 4 days walking with low altitude throughout. Similarly to the Amalfi Coast, the islands of the Gulf of Naples are home to some of the best walks in Europe, with a variety of great coastal trails, deserted beaches and coves and picture-perfect fishing villages. The pace of the walks on this trip allows time to rest and enjoy the views, however, the terrain and amount of ascents and descent encountered is similar what you may find on a moderate walking trip. The terrain and type of path will vary from man-made paved tracks, tarmac to forest trails. The walks usually take between 4 and 6 hours including lunch stops (depending on the pace of your group). Please note that the summer temperatures can make some of the walks more strenuous. Overall, the trip offers a very good balance between backcountry walks and sightseeing in beautiful towns of Italy such as Sorrento, Capri and Naples. The boats used to travel between the islands are normally high speed ferries with good facilities on board. Occasionally, depending on sea conditions and seasonal timetables, slower ferries or private fully licensed boats might be used. Due to the number of transfers included on this itinerary, we recommend packing light and limiting the number of suitcases/rucksacks you travel with. You may find our Fitness Training Guide a useful reference: http://www.exodus.co.uk/assets/pdf/Exodus_WT_Fitness_Training_Guide.pdf

Accommodation

Hotels

We spend the first two nights in Massa Lubrense, two nights in Anacapri, two nights in Ischia and the final night in a central hotel in Naples. All rooms at the hotels are en suite, and all of them offer free Wi-Fi. The hotels are all 3-star and have been chosen for their warm hospitality and character; some of them have a pool.

Reviews

Island Hopping in the Bay of Naples

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

The walk on Ischia - and as always getting to know the other members of the group

What did you think of your group leader?

We had two - Salvatore and Giovane. They were both excellent, looking after the group with great care and giving us a good insight to the way of life in this part of the world. They also provided 2 very tasty picnic lunches for us with local delicacies

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Be prepared for some energetic walks with lots of ups and downs

Is there anything else you would like to add?

One suggestion - the 1st walk on Capri was carried out after the boat trip and started with a long uphill section in the full heat of the day. We believe that it might be better to take a half-day off in Capri town instead, and start the walk the following morning - from the Blue Grotto end. This would mean that the walk would end with a picnic lunch at the lighthouse and the opportunity for a swim.

Island hopping in the bay of naples

Really enjoyed the whole trip. great guides!
fantastic scenery and hotels OK. included food could have been better, especially the breakfasts. Only one hotel gave any fresh fruit.
Walks on the mainland, Capri and Ischia were excellent, but Procida was not very inspiring until the last veiw, but it was very boring to get there.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

The continuing amazing scenery
also the picnics organised by our guides were fantastic

What did you think of your group leader?

they were both excellent. very knowledgeable and approachable. nothing was too much trouble

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

It would be uncomfortable to do those walks in the heat of the summer.
There is a lot of walking involved to the hotels and to the restaurants as well as on the itinerary walks.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Dates & Prices

An overview of flight options

Exodus is committed to making joining our tours as easy as possible, wherever you live. We generally only block book seats from London, but this certainly does not mean that you need to fly from there. Depending on the route and airlines available, there will usually be various options available for those who want to fly from their local airport.

This page aims to provide a useful overview of the options available to our clients. However, the best flight arrangements should be tailored to your personal requirements, so please contact our Sales team for expert advice.

What kind of options do I have ?

1. We can book for you: Flights from anywhere in the world - not via London

Depending on the route, this may be direct or via an overseas hub like Amsterdam, the Middle East or elsewhere. On short haul routes there may be direct flights with low cost airlines, charter flights or scheduled airlines. Exodus can book most, but not all, of these for you. The most appropriate airline may be different to that which we use for the group flight from London, but many people now travel on different airlines and meet up with their fellow passengers at the destination.

Pros

Cons

May be the most direct route

Often the extra fare compared to the London flight is minimal.

As you will be in the hands a single airline for your entire journey, the airline will be responsible for your bags and your connections.

You may not be able to join the group transfers. However, we can usually arrange private transfers, or book your flights to try and coincide with the group transfers. See notes on transfer arrangements below.

2. We can book for you: Connecting flights from your local airport to London

Exodus can book connecting flights to London so you can join the group flight there. Connecting times will be followed according to airline advice, or as requested by clients. There are two types of fares we can use for this option: a 'through-fare' or a 'published fare'.

a) A 'through-fare' is where you will be in the main airline's care throughout. You change planes, but your bags are checked all the way through to your final destination.

b) A 'published fare' ticket is completely seperate from your onward ticket from London. It is usually cheaper than a through-fare but will need to be paid for and issued as soon as it is booked. This can be a problem if your tour has not yet reached minimum numbers. On 'published fares' neither airline is aware that you have connecting flights, so Exodus is responsible for timing your connection, not the airlines involved. The tickets are also usually non changeable and non refundable.

Pros

Cons

Depending on the fare type, Exodus or the airline is responsible for flight connections.

Through fare tickets can be expensive.

On a published fare, tickets must be issued immediately; tickets on published fares can be very difficult to change if onward flight times change; bags are not checked though to your final destination.

Published fares are non-refundable.

3. Booking some or all of the flights yourself

You can also book connecting air travel yourself, either to London, or all the way to the start point. There may be certain airlines or routes we don't have access to, so this is always an option. However, if you make your own travel arrangements you become liable for any delays, cancellations or missed connections, and Exodus is not required to offer refunds if you have trouble reaching the start of your trip.

Pros

Cons

You might find cheaper fares, or routes not available to Exodus.

You are responsible for any delays or missed connections, and the cost of the tour is not protected should you miss your flight be cancelled.

Notes on transfer arrangements

Sometimes it is possible to travel on a different airline to the group flight from London. Where this is the case, we need to think about ensuring you meet up with the group with minimum extra cost and hassle.

On certain trips, it is easy to arrive on a different flight and still meet the group at the hotel with time in hand. We can usually arrange private transfers (at extra cost) or offer advice on taking a taxi to the start hotel.

On other trips (especially in Europe), the transfer meets the group flight and then travels some distance to the first night's accommodation. Where this is the case, our Sales team will try to arrange flights that arrive before (and depart after) the group. However, we do have to make it clear in your final documentation that if your flights are delayed, the transfer cannot wait for you. While Exodus or our local operators will do what we can to help you reach the start point of the tour, any additional costs must be paid by the client.

Next steps?

Not found the date you’re looking for? We can organise this itinerary as aPrivate Adventure– just click on the tab above the list of dates and prices, let us know your preferred dates of travel and how many people are travelling, and we’ll do the rest!

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